We are talking eight figure payments here.

There was testimony about to be given in a very very high profile trial that would not only have brought down one leader of a country, but also would shake some very big branches in the current and former governments of this country. We are talking eight figure payments here.

There was testimony about to be given in a very very high profile trial that would not only have brought down one leader of a country, but also would shake some very big branches in the current and former governments of this country.

We are talking eight figure payments here.

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman

Mexico

Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán’s trial: Seven startling claims

Here are some of the most interesting insights from the court so far:

El Chapo’s reputed extravagance extended even to his extensive collection of weaponry, the trial has heard.

Among his prized possessions were a diamond-encrusted, monogrammed pistol and a gold-plated AK-47.

Mr Zambada testified that the alleged drug kingpin had the brother of another cartel leader killed because he did not shake Mr Guzmán’s hand.

Assistant US Attorney Adam Fels said in his opening argument that El Chapo had sent “more than a line of cocaine for every single person in the United States” – in just four of his shipments.

That amounts to over 328 million lines of cocaine, said the prosecutor.

Mr Zambada said that once, in 1994, Mr Guzmán gave the order to sink a boat carrying 20 tonnes of cocaine to evade authorities.

The court also heard that Mr Guzmán once used a bazooka for target practice – to relax on a family holiday.

Mr Zambada said El Chapo took the anti-tank rocket launcher with him on a trip with relatives in 2005.

Some of the biggest news from testimony was how the Sinaloa cartel allegedly paid off a host of top Mexican officials to ensure their drug business ran smoothly.

Mr Zambada said the traffickers had $50m (£39m) in protection money for former Mexican Secretary of Public Security García Luna, so that corrupt officers would be appointed to head police operations.

Mr Zambada said he gave the money to Mr Luna in briefcases full of cash. Mr Luna has denied the allegations.

A 6in (15cm) figurine of a folk hero dubbed the narco-saint has been spotted on a shelf in a conference room used by the defendant’s lawyers at the court, the New York Post reported.

The statue of Jesús Malverde, which has him seated on a purple throne with bags of cash, appeared on Wednesday, one of El Chapo’s lawyers told the newspaper.

Mr Martinez told the court Mr Guzmán was so wealthy, he had a private zoo on top of his numerous properties – including a $10m (£8) beach house as well as a yacht he named after himself (“Chapito”).

Built in the early ’90s, El Chapo’s zoo reportedly had lions, tigers, and crocodiles, as well as a little train to ferry guests through it.- Source